Tier 2 for Skilled Workers - Ministers of Religion
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Call the London Office on +44 (0)845 658 0410 for a HSMP consultation or an appointment.
The following information is about the UK's new points based system, which has not been fully implemented yet. It's possible that information may change over the course of the following months, so please check back periodically.
Tier 2 Ministers of Religion Visa Overview
The United Kingdom's ministers of religion immigration category will allow you to come to Britain to perform recognized religious duties. This will include preaching to a community and performing pastoral roles. This will not include coming to the UK temporarily in a non-pastoral role to perform religious rites or other duties. These situations will be covered under Tier 5 for Temporary Workers.
This category will replace the existing work permit arrangements for ministers of religion when it goes live sometime in Autumn of 2008.
Eligibility
Under the current plans for the Tier 2 ministers of religion category, the United Kingdom will require you to score 70 points in order to be successful in your application. The points are scored under three different sets of criteria, Sponsorship, Maintenance, and English Language skills. Below is an overview on how points are earned under Tier 2 for Ministers of Religion:
| Tier 2 Ministers of Religion Points Test | |
|---|---|
| Sponsorship | 50 points |
| Maintenance | 10 points |
| English Language Skills | 10 points |
Sponsorship
To come to the United Kingdom under Tier 2 for Ministers of Religion, you must be sponsored by an organization who is licensed to do so by the UK government. This will earn you 50 points towards your Tier 2 Ministers of Religion visa. You can only be issued a certificate of sponsorship if you:
- are qualified to do the job;
- intend to base yourself in the UK
- comply with the conditions to stay in the UK and leave the UK once your leave expires
Maintenance
You must earn 10 points for Maintenance, which states that you have enough funds to support yourself and any dependants during your stay in the UK. You must have GBP 800 in a bank account at the time of your application and an additional GBP 600 for each dependant that you intend to bring with you.
English Language Skills
10 points are awarded for English language skills. To stay in the UK as a minister of religion, you must speak English to the Council of Europen Level B2.
Extending a Tier 2 Ministers of Religion Visa
To extend your stay in the United Kingdom under a Tier 2 Ministers of Religion visa, you must pass the points test again under the requirements in place at the time of your application for extension. However, you will automatically score the required points for English language skills.
After a continous period of residency in the UK for five years, you will be eligible to apply for settlement as a permanent resident (also known as indefinite leave to remain).